--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's better to be ahead of time than to…" description: "\"It's better to be ahead of time than to be behind time and an equal pace with time is the best.\" — Terry Mark" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/terry-mark-87_ahead-of-time_it-s-better-to-be-ahead-of-time-than-to_746307.jpg" --- # It's better to be ahead of time than to be behind time and… ![“It's better to be ahead of time than to be behind time and an equal pace with time is the best.” quote by Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/terry-mark-87_ahead-of-time_it-s-better-to-be-ahead-of-time-than-to_746307.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/terry-mark-87_ahead-of-time_it-s-better-to-be-ahead-of-time-than-to_746307.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/terry-mark-87_ahead-of-time_it-s-better-to-be-ahead-of-time-than-to_746307.jpg) > “It's better to be ahead of time than to be behind time and an equal pace with time is the best.” [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being ahead of time is better than lagging; matching time’s pace is optimal. **In simple terms:** Stay ahead, but keep pace with time. Key Takeaway Plan proactively, adjust as needed. Themes productivity time efficiency Mood pragmatic balanced Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - project planning - deadline tracking - daily scheduling Key Concepts temporal strategy goal alignment Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance being ahead with sustainable pacing? - What signals indicate you’re falling behind? A Different Perspective Being ahead may cause burnout if unsustainable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“It is better to be ahead of your time than to lag behind your generation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/it-is-better-to-be-ahead-of-your-time-than-to-lag-behind-your/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [We can't cross that bridge until we come to it, but I always like to lay down a pontoon ahead of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-baruch/we-can-t-cross-that-bridge-until-we-come-to-it-but-i-always-like-to/) [Bernard Baruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-baruch/) > [I always like to plan ahead of time and follow up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jackson/i-always-like-to-plan-ahead-of-time-and-follow-up/) [Michael Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jackson/) > [I don't like to practice ahead of time what I'm going to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-ferraro/i-don-t-like-to-practice-ahead-of-time-what-i-m-going-to-say/) [Geraldine Ferraro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-ferraro/) > [“You never know ahead of time what something is really going to be like.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/you-never-know-ahead-of-time-what-something-is-really-going-to-be-like/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [Anyone can do things ahead of time but you must wait for the time to come!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chizim/anyone-can-do-things-ahead-of-time-but-you-must-wait-for-the-time-to/) [Chizim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chizim/) > [Organizing ahead of time makes the work more enjoyable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-burrell/organizing-ahead-of-time-makes-the-work-more-enjoyable/) [Anne Burrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-burrell/) > [The things I've ventured into have always been ahead of time!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poonam-dhillon/the-things-i-ve-ventured-into-have-always-been-ahead-of-time/) [Poonam Dhillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poonam-dhillon/) > [What I don't like is having someone saying ahead of time what I can see and what I can't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-connors/what-i-don-t-like-is-having-someone-saying-ahead-of-time-what-i-can/) [Mike Connors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-connors/) > [I'm a precrastinator. Yes, that's an actual term. You know that panic you feel a few hours before a big deadline when you haven't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-grant/i-m-a-precrastinator-yes-that-s-an-actual-term-you-know-that-panic/) [Adam Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-grant/) > [The best way to keep something bad from happening is to see it ahead of time... and you can't see it if you refuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-burroughs/the-best-way-to-keep-something-bad-from-happening-is-to-see-it-ahead/) [William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs/) > [I like to be on time, preferably ahead of time. It's better to be one of the first at a function as opposed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coulthard/i-like-to-be-on-time-preferably-ahead-of-time-it-s-better-to-be-one/) [David Coulthard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coulthard/) > [When you watch chess, you don't see the four hours that the player spends preparing for a match ahead of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hikaru-nakamura/when-you-watch-chess-you-don-t-see-the-four-hours-that-the-player/) [Hikaru Nakamura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hikaru-nakamura/) > [Skepticism is not a position that you stake out ahead of time and stick to no matter what.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shermer/skepticism-is-not-a-position-that-you-stake-out-ahead-of-time-and/) [Michael Shermer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shermer/) > [“he said well if you can’t plan it out ahead of time, you’ll just have to work it out as you go along”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-tartt/he-said-well-if-you-can-t-plan-it-out-ahead-of-time-you-ll-just-have/) [Donna Tartt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-tartt/) ## More by Terry Mark > [Hate nothing in another human being because your eyes is made looking at others but never at your own self except in front of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/hate-nothing-in-another-human-being-because-your-eyes-is-made-looking/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [Sometimes, the person you trust most is the one who trusts you the least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/sometimes-the-person-you-trust-most-is-the-one-who-trusts-you-the/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [Fill your minds with thoughts that will make you smile each time you remember them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/fill-your-minds-with-thoughts-that-will-make-you-smile-each-time-you/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [Sometimes you never notice when somebody is breaking your heart, until they are through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/sometimes-you-never-notice-when-somebody-is-breaking-your-heart-until/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [If possible, I want to hear POLITICS defined without either sympathy or apathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/if-possible-i-want-to-hear-politics-defined-without-either-sympathy/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [Sometimes the best thing to do when someone is spitting harsh words on us is to simply fold our hands and watch. Not because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/sometimes-the-best-thing-to-do-when-someone-is-spitting-harsh-words/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [If you have a bad day,pray. If you have a good day,pray. Pray for the best. Pray with the best. Prayer is the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/if-you-have-a-bad-day-pray-if-you-have-a-good-day-pray-pray-for-the/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [Procrastination isn't patience. It's a sign of laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/procrastination-isn-t-patience-it-s-a-sign-of-laziness/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [Don't shout at my face, I won't understand you. Speak to my heart, I will feel it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/don-t-shout-at-my-face-i-won-t-understand-you-speak-to-my-heart-i/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [My Life ain't steady but I always try to steady myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/my-life-ain-t-steady-but-i-always-try-to-steady-myself/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [Whoever knows and fears God has conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/whoever-knows-and-fears-god-has-conscience/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [The Good Hearts always easily get broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/the-good-hearts-always-easily-get-broken/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [My troubles taught me not to be lazy if I really want to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/my-troubles-taught-me-not-to-be-lazy-if-i-really-want-to-win/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [Don't try to prove yourself the extra mile, your daily Life is enough to do that for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/don-t-try-to-prove-yourself-the-extra-mile-your-daily-life-is-enough/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [No matter how we repeat a lie, no matter how we deceive a people, the lies at the end can never be the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/no-matter-how-we-repeat-a-lie-no-matter-how-we-deceive-a-people-the/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) [Explore all 1,469 Terry Mark quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) ## More Ahead of time quotes > [“To prepare any activity for the child, it is necessary for the parent to think through every detail ahead of time. For example, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-polk-lillard/to-prepare-any-activity-for-the-child-it-is-necessary-for-the-parent/) [Paula Polk Lillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-polk-lillard/) > [The reason I quit being a sales manager over twenty years now is because I hate elevator pitches. I want to write stories and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-busiek/the-reason-i-quit-being-a-sales-manager-over-twenty-years-now-is/) [Kurt Busiek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-busiek/) > [I've never understood the value of putting someone on television to lie, knowing that they're going to lie ahead of time, knowing that that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-o-donnell/i-ve-never-understood-the-value-of-putting-someone-on-television-to/) [Lawrence O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-o-donnell/) > [“Without constant clairvoyance on the part of every man and woman, existence on your plane would involve such inner, psychological insecurity that it would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-roberts/without-constant-clairvoyance-on-the-part-of-every-man-and-woman/) [Jane Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-roberts/) > [Faith isn't about having everything figured out ahead of time; faith is about following the quiet voice of God without having everything figured out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-held-evans/faith-isn-t-about-having-everything-figured-out-ahead-of-time-faith/) [Rachel Held Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-held-evans/) > [Dont worry about your future, because the angels are working on your path and your prayers ahead of time,with the touch of GOD approval...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dont-worry-about-your-future-because-the-angels-are-working-on-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Mind your mind. Think of distinctive footprints. Insofar as all things move forward and not backward, avoid retrogressive thinking, imprison negative thoughts, build a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/mind-your-mind-think-of-distinctive-footprints-insofar-as-all-things/) [Ernest Agyemang Yeboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/) > [A montage is incredibly challenging. When I can, I'd like to know what the music is going to be ahead of time because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-maclaren/a-montage-is-incredibly-challenging-when-i-can-i-d-like-to-know-what/) [Michelle MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-maclaren/) > [“Part of our problem is that we confuse God’s reliability with God’s predictability. God is perfectly reliable. His character never changes. He is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-erre/part-of-our-problem-is-that-we-confuse-god-s-reliability-with-god-s/) [Mike Erre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-erre/) > [Because I never plan anything out ahead of time, I'm always in the process of learning about my characters. Without a biographical sketch to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-gerritsen/because-i-never-plan-anything-out-ahead-of-time-i-m-always-in-the/) [Tess Gerritsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-gerritsen/) > [“The greatest testament of a life lived is to be missed when you are gone. It is not something you can plan for or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-maclearn/the-greatest-testament-of-a-life-lived-is-to-be-missed-when-you-are/) [Brian MacLearn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-maclearn/) > [I've never been willing to commit to more than one at a time, because I just don't know - I don't plan the books…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-ve-never-been-willing-to-commit-to-more-than-one-at-a-time-because/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [We can't cross that bridge until we come to it, but I always like to lay down a pontoon ahead of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-baruch/we-can-t-cross-that-bridge-until-we-come-to-it-but-i-always-like-to/) [Bernard Baruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-baruch/) > [Skepticism is not a position that you stake out ahead of time and stick to no matter what.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shermer/skepticism-is-not-a-position-that-you-stake-out-ahead-of-time-and/) [Michael Shermer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shermer/) > [I really believe that all CEO pay should be voted on by shareholders ahead of time. Mine was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/i-really-believe-that-all-ceo-pay-should-be-voted-on-by-shareholders/) [Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/) Browse all 222 Ahead of time quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's better to be ahead of time than to be behind time and an equal pace with time is the best.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Terry Mark" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/it-s-better-to-be-ahead-of-time-than-to-be-behind-time-and-an-equal/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ahead of time" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/it-s-better-to-be-ahead-of-time-than-to-be-behind-time-and-an-equal/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/terry-mark-87_ahead-of-time_it-s-better-to-be-ahead-of-time-than-to_746307.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/terry-mark-87_ahead-of-time_it-s-better-to-be-ahead-of-time-than-to_746307.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ba/terry-mark-87_ahead-of-time_it-s-better-to-be-ahead-of-time-than-to_746307.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's better to be ahead of time than to be behind time and an equal pace with time is the best.” — Terry Mark", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Terry Mark", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's better to be ahead of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/it-s-better-to-be-ahead-of-time-than-to-be-behind-time-and-an-equal/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/it-s-better-to-be-ahead-of-time-than-to-be-behind-time-and-an-equal/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```